Antioxidant Skincare

The world of antioxidant skin care is growing rapidly, and it is sometimes difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. Where some skin care products with antioxidants will truly heal and protect the skin, others contain just enough antioxidant ingredients to earn boasting rights. So, how do you decide which antioxidant products are for you? There is no better way to learn about the best antioxidant skin care products than to read reviews from those who have used them!

AntioxidantSkinCare.org’s first antioxidant skin care product review features Pumpkin Latte Masque by Eminence. This hydrating skin care face mask will not only moisturize and nourish the skin, it will also help get you in the mood for the upcoming fall holidays with an all-natural pumpkin pie fragrance.

Eminence is a leader in the organic skin care industry. Using sustainably farmed, organic ingredients, Eminence offers effective formulations that deliver the promised results without resorting to the use of potentially harmful chemicals or other irritating ingredients. Supplying everything from bath and body products, to a wide range of comprehensive face care, to completely natural sun care options, Eminence has a healthy answer for every skin care need.

Pumpkin Latte Masque is formulated with an outstanding blend of organic fruit and vegetable extracts, as well as protective antioxidant vitamins. Some of the star ingredients include pumpkin puree and seed oil, sunflower and avocado oils, aloe vera, exfoliating fruit pulps, green and white tea extracts, and vitamins A, C, and E. Also featuring Co-Q10, and alpha lipoic acid, two of the most potent skin care antioxidants, this revitalizing mask is a must-have for dry, dehydrated, and lackluster skin types.

While Pumpkin Latte Masque is safe for use on all skin types, it may not be comfortable for use on oily or acne-prone skin due to its rich formulation. In addition, while it will offer exceptional healing and free radical-neutralizing capabilities, it is recommended that a leave-on antioxidant is used during the day, such as a protective moisturizer or antioxidant sunscreen.

Have you used Eminence’s Pumpkin Latte Masque? Leave your antioxidant product review in the comments section, and let your voice be heard!

source:flickr by:mcpeak_michael

As if green tea didn’t already have enough going for it, new research suggests that regular green tea consumption may reduce your risk for periodontal disease and other tooth and gum issues. Green tea is often touted for its weight loss, anti-cancer, skin antioxidant, and heart health benefits, mainly due to its extremely high concentration of the antioxidant catechin.

The catechin found in green tea is known as epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG. EGCG can be as much as 100 times more potent that antioxidant vitamin C, and is the main cancer-fighting component of green tea. In addition, EGCG supplies anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits, both of which contribute to improved oral health, particularly periodontal health.

In the study of green tea’s effects on periodontal disease, 940 men, aged 49 through 59, drank green tea on a daily basis. The men’s gums were examined for the three symptoms of periodontal disease: clinical attachment loss of gum tissue, bleeding on probing, and periodontal pocket depth. The study showed that for every cup of green tea consumed, all three indicators were seen at decreasing levels.

So, what is periodontal disease, and why focus on preventing it? Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that targets the gums and bones supporting the teeth. As mentioned above, catechins are potent anti-inflammatory antioxidants, which is what allows them to be so effective when used to treat this chronic inflammatory disease. Doctors and researchers are placing an emphasis on preventing and correcting periodontal disease as more and more research shows the direct link between gum health and the overall health of the body. In fact, periodontal disease has been associated with other diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with some believing that periodontal disease can even speed their progression.

Periodontal disease is best prevented by proper brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental checkups and cleanings. In addition to these basic hygiene practices, replace your morning cup of coffee with a mug of green tea, which may also help to maintain a healthy weight, reduce caffeine intake, boost your skin care regimen, and reduce your risk for cancer.

source:David Monniaux soure: Wikipedia.org

Antioxidant Ingredient Close-up: Cocoa Butter

Chocolate is certainly one of our favorite antioxidant foods here at AntioxidantSkinCare.org. Delicious, decadent, and extremely high in free radical-fighting capabilities – what’s not to love? Today, our antioxidant ingredient close-up is going to focus on a relative of chocolate: cocoa butter.

Cocoa butter is a stable fat extracted from either ground cacao beans through what is known as the Broma process, or pressed and separated from chocolate liquor. Aside from antioxidant skin care products, cocoa butter is used in everything from food to pharmaceuticals.

When used in natural skin care products, cocoa butter offers an emollient texture that is able to moisturize even the driest of skin types. It provides the rich, luxurious scent of dark chocolate, turning any antioxidant product into an aromatherapeutic experience. In addition, cocoa butter is a natural preservative which will help maintain the shelf-life of your beauty care products.

Often used in the best stretch mark creams, cocoa butter is wonderful when used to relieve chapped, dry, itchy skin. Perfect for flaky lips in the winter, and dry feet in the summer, cocoa butter will restore a smooth texture and supple tone to the skin. Plus, it’s extremely safe and gentle, allowing it to be used during pregnancy, on babies, and by very sensitive skin types.

As far as skin antioxidants are concerned, cocoa butter has you covered. It features a slew of highly protective antioxidants including flavanoids and polyphenols. In addition, it offers a wide range of essential minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, and zinc.

When applied topically, cocoa butter absorbs quickly and completely, leaving the skin feeling comfortable and soft. When taken internally, cocoa butter supplies the body with antioxidant protection while providing a natural dose of tryptophan, dopamine, and phenylethylamine — all essential for healthy brain function.

Cocoa butter has been scientifically proven to protect the skin against UV ray damage while healing already accrued damage, making it a great choice for after-sun care. When reading your antioxidant skin care product labels, look for Theobroma Cacao, Cocoa Seed Butter, or simply Cocoa Butter to ensure this must-have ingredient is improving your skin care regimen.

source:flickr by:Breno Peck

The Top Five Best Skin Antioxidants

If you haven’t noticed, we are pretty passionate about skin antioxidants around here. In order to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the world of antioxidants, we try to give you thorough information regarding tried-and-true antioxidant ingredients, as well as the latest and greatest antioxidant advances. But, sometimes we need to take a step back to simplify for the sake of sanity.

In the name of simplicity, here’s a quick “pocket guide” featuring the five best skin antioxidants. When searching for a new antioxidant skin care product, or even scanning your favorite skin care products for antioxidant ingredients, keep this easy-to-remember list in mind. Some of these ingredients have been featured on the site before, while others have yet to have their chance in the spotlight. They all have one thing in common, though; each is a powerful tool in the fight against free radical damage and visible signs of aging.

Without further ado, and in no particular order, I present to you The Top Five Best Skin Antioxidants!

1) Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-Lipoic Acid, or ALA, is a unique ingredient, due to the fact that it’s both fat- and water-soluble. This means that ALA is able to penetrate skin cell membranes on every level, providing thorough protection against free radical damage. ALA is particularly useful when it comes to enlarged pores, wrinkles, and dull skin.

2) CoEnzyme Q-10
Also known as CoQ-10, CoEnzyme Q-10 is naturally produced by the body as its main defense against free radical invasion. However, as we age, the body produces less and less CoQ-10, leaving the cells less protected against free radical damage. CoQ-10 is used in many anti aging products, especially eye anti aging products due to its enhanced ability to target crow’s feet.

3) Acai Oil
Acai berry, often referred to us a “superfruit”, is a small, blue berry, originally found in Central and South America. Cold-pressed acai berries yield an antioxidant-rich oil that’s regularly used in anti aging skin care products. What makes acai oil especially unique is the fact that antioxidant levels remain incredibly high even after it’s been bottled and stored.

4) Vitamin C
Vitamin C antioxidant is one of the few skin antioxidants that is enhanced when used topically as well as internally. Research shows that vitamin C may stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and even scars. The dual-action of internal and external vitamin C will help optimize its benefits and quicken their visibility.

5) Retinol
Retinol is a topical antioxidant vitamin (vitamin A) that is known to encourage collagen production, thereby creating a plumper skin texture. It can also reduce wrinkles and fine lines, diminish discolorations, and protect against future damage. Talk about multi-tasking!

Retinol is an especially potent ingredient that should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist or general physician.

Bonus: Caffeine
Caffeine is beloved for its ability to provide a little pick-me-up, but studies show that it may also be able to prevent the free radical damage that can lead to cancer-causing mutations.

In a 2002 study, caffeine applied to the skin of mice showed the ability to prevent skin cancer by healing tumors before they finished forming. While anti-cancer benefits are continuing to be studied, caffeine is used in skin care to help diminish visible signs of aging, as well as cellulite and stretch marks.

source:flickr by:rogiro

Antioxidant Ingredient Close-up: Coffee Berry Extract

What’s the one antioxidant that’s supposed to provide the best protection against UVA rays, UVB rays and age-accelerating free radicals? Nope, it’s not pomegranate, blueberry, acai or goji, but a relatively new antioxidant skin care ingredient: coffee berry extract, known by its proprietary name, CoffeeBerry. In fact, CoffeeBerry can contain 15,000 to 17,500 ORAC units, higher than even green tea antioxidant.

Coffee berries are the delicate, cherry-like fruit of the coffea arabica plant. It is inside the coffee berries that our coffee beans — which are actually seeds — are found. Because coffee berries are so fragile and perishable, their flesh was always discarded during the harvesting of the coffee berry seeds. However, since the discovery of the coffee berry’s exceptional antioxidant benefits, the flesh of the berries has become as prized as the seeds.

It is believed that coffee berries are so rich in antioxidant polyphenols because they grow near the equator in harsh conditions at high altitudes. Here, the sun’s rays are exceptionally strong, providing a heavy dose of oxidation to the plants. In order to survive, the plants must create natural antioxidants to protect themselves against free radicals. Coffee berry plants make many polyphenols and phenolic acids, including ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and proanthocyanidina.

CoffeeBerry is used as an anti aging skin care treatment by only a handful of skin care companies, including Revaleskin and Priori. As a skin antioxidant, CoffeeBerry neutralizes oxidizing radicals in order to prevent collagen damage, reduce wrinkles, and protect against other sun-related damages. In addition, CoffeeBerry may provide anti-inflammatory actions, a benefit which can further reduce the appearance of visible signs of aging.

Clearly, CoffeeBerry is an ingredient you’d like to see in your antioxidant skin care products. Paired with other CoffeeBerry products or a solid anti-aging beauty care regimen featuring other antioxidant sources, CoffeeBerry is sure to provide you with visible anti-aging benefits, including fewer wrinkles and signs of sun damage.

Green Tea Antioxidants for Treating Hair Disorders

source: flickr by: tim7423

Green tea is a true wonder food. It boosts the metabolism, helps reduce dental plaque, promotes energy, and is believed to have anti-cancer properties. In addition, it supplies antioxidants to the entire body, which helps boost the immune system, neutralize free radicals, enhance skin health, and more. In fact, it’s the green tea antioxidants that are now believed to help reduce hair disorders such as hair loss!

The catechins (antioxidants) in green tea target hair loss in three important ways.

1. Green tea catechins inhibit 5-alpha-reductase. 5-alpha-reductase is the enzyme that converts free testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the main contributing factor in male pattern baldness, and one of the many factors in female pattern baldness.
2. Green tea intake correlates to higher globulin levels, a protein that binds sex hormones so that they cannot be used directly by tissues. When free testosterone is bound by globulin, it reduces the amount of free testosterone available to be converted into dihydrotestosterone, thereby reducing the amount of DHT created by the body.
3. Green tea enhances and encourages healthy circulation, which directly benefits the hair by carrying nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles.

On top of the anti-hair loss benefits provided by green tea hair care products, the inclusion of green tea in your shampoo and conditioner will gently remove impurities and provide beauty-promoting nutrients to all hair types.

No conclusive clinical studies have been published on the effects of green tea on hair loss; however, the scientific evidence speaks for itself. It may take up to 6-12 months to see results on a green tea hair care regimen, so patience is required.

Hair products formulated with green tea can be boosted by drinking green tea or taking green tea dietary supplements, a habit that will also supply the health benefits mentioned above. Look at it this way: using green tea for your overall health may be able to maintain the health, beauty and thickness of your hair. It’s certainly worth a try! After all, what do you have to lose?

source:flickr by:prawnpie

Antioxidant Ingredient Close-up: Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is a favorite antioxidant ingredient of most skin care-aware people. It’s naturally produced by the human body, and also found in other natural sources, such as foods. Alpha lipoic acid is used in many anti-aging skin care products, due to its purported ability to reduce wrinkles.

The prominent clinical and research dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone has performed a number of studies on the effects of alpha lipoic acid in skin care products. In one study, alpha lipoic acid was able to reduce mild to moderate wrinkles by up to 50 percent, while virtually eliminating fine lines. In another study, alpha lipoic acid showed similar efficacy when used topically on scars. However, some have disputed the findings due to the fact that each of these studies were performed by Dr. Perricone, who formulates his own line of anti aging products which features the ingredient in question.

In addition to alpha lipoic acid’s anti-aging capabilities, it also offers a wide range of other skin care and health benefits, including:

• Cellular energy production
• The inhibition of cross-linking, a pro-aging process
• Anti-inflammatory actions
• The neutralization and removal of toxic metals
• Improvement to neurological complications of diabetes, arterial sclerosis and more (when taken internally)

Alpha lipoic acid is a widely available, relatively inexpensive ingredient. However, it’s often used in conjunction with more expensive antioxidants and anti aging skin care ingredients, making the product more costly than a pure alpha lipoic acid formulation. Results caused by alpha lipoic acid products are usually seen after 8-12 weeks of use, depending on the concentration of the active ingredients.

Although almost all of the information we have on alpha lipoic acid use in anti aging skin care products is provided by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, who may have a specific interest in the success of this ingredient, it is next to impossible that he fabricated the results for his own gain. Therefore, the results of Dr. Perricone’s studies stand on their own; alpha lipoic acid is an extremely effective anti-aging skin antioxidant.

source:flickr by:def110

Antioxidant Ingredient Close-up: Resveratrol

I recently wrote about the great antioxidant duo of wine and chocolate, but only vaguely touched on resveratrol, the component responsible for wine’s exceptional antioxidant benefits. Resveratrol is a truly remarkable ingredient that deserves its very own post, so that’s exactly what I’m giving you today!

Resveratrol is a unique natural skin care ingredient that’s found in grape vines. The antioxidant ingredient resveratrol is what’s responsible for grape vines being able to live and produce fruit for centuries! Resveratrol is an extremely precious skin care ingredient, due both to its exceptional capabilities, and its rarity; it takes one entire ton of grape vine shoots to extract one kilogram of resveratrol. Found highly concentrated in red wine, resveratrol is what makes controlled consumption of red wine a great way to improve your health.

Harvard’s Department of Medicine has called resveratrol the best anti-aging molecule, and for good reason! It is believed that resveratrol is what allows French people to lead longer, healthier lives than cultures with lower red wine consumption. (The French also have much lower incidences of heart disease than peoples who only drink wine on occasion.) In addition, resveratrol has been studied as a way to protect against cancer, radiation, neurodegenerative disease, and more!

In anti-aging skin care, resveratrol has been proven in clinical studies to be an effective way to improve skin denseness, firmness, and fibroblast multiplication. It also boosts cellular renewal (exfoliation), supports collagen and elastin production, and prolongs the life expectancy of skin cells by up to 160%. All of these skin antioxidant actions work together to create a healthier and younger-seeming skin texture while reducing the feel and appearance of deep wrinkles and fine lines.

Very few antioxidant products or anti-aging products contain resveratrol due to the exclusiveness of the ingredient. Caudalie, the skin care company that discovered resveratrol’s skin anti-aging abilities, holds the exclusive patent on the extraction and stabilization of grapevine resveratrol. Thankfully, Caudalie is an exceptional skin care company, even without the generous credibility boost provided by resveratrol. For extreme anti-aging benefits, choose a Caudalie anti wrinkle treatment formulated with resveratrol from the Vinexpert line, a comprehensive regimen for mature skin types.

source: flickr by:abdallah

Glutathione: The Skin-Whitening Antioxidant

Glutathione is a naturally occurring tripeptide antioxidant that helps protect our cells from free radicals and other forms of oxidative stress. Known as ‘The Master Antioxidant‘, glutathione is present in almost every single cell of the human body, and is sometimes even used to determine one’s lifespan. Glutathione levels decrease as we age, resulting in weaker defenses against free radical and oxidative damages.

In addition to its essential life-supporting role, glutathione is also an effective skin whitening agent. Glutathione taken internally can only whiten and brighten the complexion after the body’s natural glutathione stores have reached their threshold. However, it can also be applied topically via antioxidant skin care products to reduce age spots, hyperpigmentation and other forms of discoloration. Targeting pigmentation concerns from both the inside and outside will yield optimized results, though either route will improve the appearance of the skin.

Glutathione whitens the skin by inhibiting the natural enzyme tyrosinase. Tyrosinase is responsible for catalyzing the production of melanin within the skin, which is what leads to discolorations such as age spots, freckles, and more severe forms of hyperpigmentation. Broken down into simple terms, more glutathione means less tyrosinase. Less tyrosinase means less melanin, which equals reduced instances of hyperpigmentation. Glutathione also offers the anti-aging skin care bonus of reducing fine lines, wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.

Proper use of glutathione will promote a younger-looking complexion complete with youthful coloring and radiance. Compared to other whiteners, such as hydroquinone, glutathione is a much safer, gentler choice, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin, or for those who want to whiten their skin without the side effects associated with harsh bleaching. Look for antioxidant products containing L-glutathione, the chirally correct form of The Master Antioxidant.

Remember, using a skin care product containing L-glutathione will provide great results in 4-12 weeks time, though the added benefit of taking L-glutathione internally will only help. In addition, glutathione is being researched as a treatment for many serious illnesses, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, infertility, and even HIV and Autism! With that kind of potential, it only makes sense to add glutathione to your daily antioxidant diet.

source:flickr by:daniel y. go

Antioxidant Ingredient Close-Up: Green Tea

Weight issues, acne, poor health, oxidation damage; these are just a few of the things green tea antioxidants can improve. Green tea has long been used as a multi-tasking “healer” in Asian cultures, and has more recently become a staple of many American diets. It has been said that drinking green tea will help prevent one from aging, which sounds more far-fetched than it actually is. What’s green tea’s anti-aging secret? Antioxidants, of course!

Green tea contains particularly potent antioxidants known as catechins. The catechins found in teas, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), are also responsible for green and white tea’s antimicrobial effects and suspected anti-cancer abilities. When taken internally, green tea is able to improve overall health while boosting metabolism and protecting against a wide variety of illnesses. When used topically, green tea is able to provide similar benefits to the skin, including:

• Protection against free radicals
• Reduced visible signs of aging and damage
• Protection against sunburn
• Skin cell rejuvenation
• Inflammation prevention
• Anti-acne benefits
• Anti-psoriasis benefits
• Anti-dandruff benefits
• Skin lightening abilities
• Suspected anti-skin cancer abilities

Green tea is also very calming and soothing, making it a wonderful skin care treatment for conditions such as rosacea. All skin care product types, such as cleansers, moisturizers and treatment products, can be found with green tea as an ingredient, making it easy to build a regimen based on green tea’s extensive benefits. Plus, green tea rarely causes undesired side effects, such as irritation, which means you can use as much or as little as you like without worrying about redness, inflammation or itching.

If you’re looking for a quick, easy way to improve your health, skin and body all at once (who isn’t?), then simply replace your coffee, black tea or soda with a mug of strong green tea. Add honey or lemon to alter the flavor, and possibly even improve green tea’s beneficial aspects. Don’t forget to slather on your green tea antioxidant cream to reduce fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and dullness! With a new green tea regimen, youthful beauty and wellness is just around the corner.